Vehicle-top



(No Model.)

0. L. PRITCHARD VEHICLE TOP.

1%. 362,039. Patented Apr. 26, 1887.

qwLh Laooco N. PETERS. Phmum m. Wuhingtnm ac.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES L. PBITGHARD, OF DUBUQUE, IOYVA.

VEHICLE-TOP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 362,039, dated April 26, 1887.

, Application filed April JG, 1886. Serial No. 200,168. No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES L. PRITOHARD,

acitizen of the United States, residing at Du-* buque, in the county of Dubuque and State of Iowa, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vehicle Tops; and I do hereby declare the following to ma full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates more particularly to a buggy-top; and the improvements therein embrace means whereby the top can be more easily spread or folded and secured, and whereby it can be tilted forward or backward and securely held at any angle to the seat; and the novelty lies in the construction and arrange ment of parts, all as will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

For a better understanding of my improvements in detail, attention is invited to the accompanying drawings, in which-- Figure 1 represents in perspective one side of a buggy-top frame embracing my improve ments, and showing in dotted lines theposition of the several parts when folded, and with the main or center bow broken away to show the means for enabling the top to be tilted and secured at any angle; Fig. 2, a transverse section of the main or center bow, the overlapping ends of the bow-braces, and the set-screw passing through these parts at this point; and Fig.

3, a view similar to Fig. 1 of a modification of the top spreading and folding devices.

Like letters of reference denote corresponding parts.

A denotes the main or center bow of a buggy-top, and B B the two branch bows, which are pivotally attached to the former by means of metal straps I) b, that are riveted to the projecting ears 0 c of a metal plate, 0, secured to the main or center bow, A. These branch bows B B have another connection with the main or center bow, A, by means of two braces, D D, which are pivoted at their outer. ends to the bows B B, near their bendingpoints, and extend across to the bow A, where theirinner ends are overlapped, as in Figs. 1 and 2. A bolt, E, passes through these overlapping ends of the braces D D, and has on its outer end, which is screw-threaded, a tightening handnut, c, and on its inner end a head, 6, which To fold or spreadthe top, the hand-nut e is loosened, so as to permit the bolt E to accede to the movements of the bows, and when the top is spread or folded either position can be securely maintained by tightening this hand nut e. In spreading the top, the braces D D draw the boltupward in the guide, and in folding these braces force it down, as shown in Fig. 1.

In the modification, Fig. 3, the braces D D are pivoted to a sliding side flanged bracket, D, through which and through guides F F, secured to the main or center bow, A, passes a vertically-sliding bolt, E. This rod carries at its lower end a onesarmed collar,f, and is pro vided just above the bracket D with a fixed collar, f and just below said bracket with a fixed handle, E, by means of which said rod and the bracket D can be raised or lowered to spread or fold the top accordingly, these movements being limited by the fixed guides F F. WVhen the top is folded, it can be secured by turning the handle E around to the right between two lugs, g 9, extending out from the main or center bow upon opposite sides of the lower fixed guide, F, and when the top is spread it can likewise be secured by a similar movement of the handle E, which will turn the bolt and bring its one-armed collar f around to a position between the two lugs g g, and thus lock the parts. By a reverse movement of this handle E the parts are unlocked, and the top is-then ready to be spread or folded, as the case may be.

In Fig. 1, G represents a bow or crescent shaped bar, connected transversely at its two ends*by a cross-bar, G, and which ends are adapted for attachment to the seat or seat-irons. To the center of this cross-bar G of the bow or crescent G is attached the main or center bow, A, by means of a metal strap, A, secured to said bow A and loosely riveted to the crossbar G. This how A is'again connected to the bow or crescent proper by means of a screwthreaded eyebolt, II, the eye of which encircles the bow or crescent, while the stern passes through the bow A, and has on its. outer end a tightening hand-nut, h, similar to the handnut e of the bolt E. By loosening this nut 7 the entiretop can be tilted forward or backward, and then secured at any desired angle within the radius of a semicircle by merely tightening this nut h. An adjusting device of this character is equally as well adapted for use with the top shown in Fig. 8.

Instead of forming a guide for the bolt E by grooving the main or center bow, A, agrooved metal casting would answer just as well, and, in fact, be more durable; and, furthermore, instead of using an eye on the end of the screwbolt H, its equivalent, a hook, could be used with as good an effect, and hence I do not wish to be confined to the particular construction of these parts. A top of either construction renders valuable service at all times, because it can be adjusted toprotect the occupant of the vehicle from the sun, wind, or rain. Besides, it is of a very cheap and simple construction, and very easy to operate, and quickly adjustable.

\Vhat I claim, and desire to secure by Let- 

